Catholic Prison Ministry (CPM) respond's to the issues faced by people affected by the Criminal Justice System: in court, in prison, in community corrections, in families, and in the wider community. We do this by encouraging personal and social change which promotes and maintains human dignity and the peace of the community.

Catholic Prison Ministry believes that:

• Prison must be an option of absolute last resort, used only when a person poses a threat to the safety and peace of the community.
• The aim of the criminal justice system must be to bring about reconciliation and restoration, rather than incrimination and retribution.
• Justice must be regarded as a community responsibility. Crime is not an individual problem. Social inequalities and injustices influence and give rise to crime.
• Justice must be founded on the restoration of peace and right relationships in the community, not on the judgement and punishment of others.
• We believe people will usually make the choice to live a lawful lifestyle when they are supported in an environment which affirms their self worth and provides for their basic needs.

Services

CPM provides a range of services to people affected by the criminal justice system. These include:

• prison release program
• court support
• family support and advocacy
• Liferaft
• chaplaincy
• referral and networking

 
Prison Projects

CPM assists prisoners to make the transition from prison back into the community by helping to find accommodation and employment in a supportive environment.

Court Support
Court support volunteers provide support and information to people involved in the court system. This enables defendants to participate more fully in the legal process.

The Court Support Program also provides support to victims of crime and their families as they experience the court process.

Family Support and Advocacy
The families of those who commit crimes are also victims of the crime. CPM provides support and advocacy for the families of people serving prison sentences.

Liferaft
Liferaft is a support and advocacy group for families and friends of men and women in prison.

Liferaft includes people with shared experiences who offer each other respect and understanding in a supported environment.

Chaplaincy
CPM maintains close links with the chaplaincy services in Queensland prisons.

Networking
CPM participates with other church and non-profit prison support agencies in advocating the policies that respect human dignity, enhance community safety and help ex-prisoners to become valued and contributing members of society.

 
Community Involvement

CPM encourages greater community responsibility for justice and prison issues. Community and church groups can be involved in various ways. These include:

• providing support for people in court
• contributing financially to the work of CPM
  

For further information, please contact:

Catholic Prison Ministry
1/53 Tribune Street
South Brisbane Qld 4101

P O Box 5251
West End Qld 4101

Phone: 3846 7577
Fax: 3844 2703
Email: cpm@cpmqld.com